The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-03
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.

Secretary Bayard Makes q Statement as to
the Present Status of the Controversy.
New YORK, Sept 2-The Times's Washing
ton special says: Secretary Bayard spoke fully
and freely to the Times correspondent this aft
ernoon in regard to the new phase assumed by
the Canadian fisheries question. He regarded
it as most hopeful indication of speedy,
just and honorable settlement of these long
pending difficulties that the British governments
had itself taken steps to put end to the tri-
ans gular manner in which the negotiations had
hitherto been source of perpetual embarrass-
ment. Every proposition submitted by the
United States had to be referred to Canada for
the views of the Dominion government, and aft
er months of delay it would be returned with
the Canadian objections, and the whole routine
would have to be gone over again. Secretary
Bayard especially referred to the proposition
made by him to Lord Iddeslegh, British Secre-
tary for Foreign Affairs. who subsequently
died. That proposition remained unanswered
for months after Lord Iddeslegh's DEATH and
was finally returned to the United States by
Lord Salisbury with the Canadian objections.
Secretary Bayard went on to say that all the
embarrassments and delays which had hampered
negotiations in times past would be obviated by
the appointment of royal commissioners. clothed
with full authority to speak both for Great
Britain and the Dominion Of Canada The
State Department had not been officially advised
who would constitute the commission on the
part of Great Britain, but it regarded as
highly probable that it would consist of Mr..
Joseph Chamberlain, Sir Jonn Macdonald,
some other leading representative of the Do
mlnion government, and the British minister at
Washington. It not correct, stated in
cable dispatches from London, that the Ameri-
commissioners had already been selected.
In the absence of direct authority from Con-
gress there could be United States commits
sioners appointed with full powers. such
those possessed by the commissioners designated
by the British crown. ALI the American
representatives could do would be to agree
upon amendment or an Interpretation of the
treaty OF 1918, which would have to be laid be-
fore the United States Senate for its action be-
fore it could take effect In point of fact. United
States commissioners not absolutely
necessary The Secretary of State himself as
sole representative of the United States, could
negotiate tready, subject. of course to ratiica-
tion by the President and Senate. just as Mr..
Marcy, then Secretary of State. did in 1894 with
Lord Elgin, then Governor general OF Canada
But if Great Britain wished the negotiations to
be conducted by three representatives on each
side, that desire might very properly be com
piled with by the President. Secretary Bayard
intimated that, in his judgment. this would
probably be the best course, and subsequent
conversation left the impression on the mind OF
the correspondent that the President. in all
pro ba bility, would designate two other able
international jurists TO cooperate with the
Secretary of State in the negotiations"